I need help again :-) I now understand the first row but as soon as I went to do the second purl row I instantly went wrong. The P2. On the row these stitches are in a small cluster together and I suspect I am supposed to P2 together and then let the yo drop off. Purling them as two separate stitches just didn't work for me.

Hi Ruth, I did purl sep in the end and that part was fine but it's row 4 that seems to go wrongly for me. I'm not getting a clear yo like I do on row 2. I wondered whether I was wrapping the yo wrongly but know I'm not. I know not using the right yarn is part of the issue but I was trialling the pattern as it's not easy for me to buy 100% cotton and I wanted to just make something close until I buy online but the row four yo is not working for me. It seems to be the first few stitches that don't appear 'correct' even though I understand the pattern instructions. I think I'll try again today and get to that point and ask perhaps when the knitting is in my hands.

I know someone recommended another bag pattern on a forum here once that they said they found easier. Perhaps I should try a variant but I don't want to give up on what should be an easy pattern!

Hmmm... Well, when I converted it to the round, I ended up fudging which stitch was which at times. At times, I would just knit a few stitches until I got to a yarn over, then drop it and go from there. It worked out okay. I keep meaning to post a picture, so you can see what happens. I had to take a deep breath and not worry too much!

Hi Ruth...I came back to say I got it right in the end but the yarn I am using is definitely wrong and too loose..however..that said..seeing this has led me to see the potentials of the bag in different ways rather than as a usual string/carry bag. I don't mind that outcome on occasions :-) A male friend of mine often urges me to see knitting flaws as special moments and opportunities. Wise owl he is.